Methods, systems, and devices for configuring a federated blockchain network

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining, from a user device, a master-slave agreement and a first network configuration for a federated blockchain network, transmitting to a cloud service provider (CSP) node the first network configuration, generating first credentials, and transmitting the first credentials to the CSP node. The CSP node configures a first group of blockchain nodes according to the first network configuration and the first credentials. Further embodiments include transmitting the first credentials to a public server that sends it to a public blockchain node and an indication to generate a portion of the federated blockchain network. The public blockchain node configures a second group of blockchain nodes according to a second network configuration based on a public blockchain smart contract. The federated blockchain network comprises the first group of blockchain nodes and the second group of blockchain nodes. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to methods, systems, and devices forconfiguring a federated blockchain network.

BACKGROUND

Conventional blockchain networks can comprise either public blockchainnetworks or private blockchain networks. Public blockchain networks havea decentralized architecture that allow for performing securedtransactions in which any number of users can utilize. In contrast,private blockchain networks regulates access by providing permission toselect users to utilize the private blockchain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIGS. 2A-2C are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of systems functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2D depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for obtaining, by a processing system including a processor,from a user device, a master-slave agreement for a federated blockchainnetwork and obtaining, by the processing system, a first networkconfiguration for the federated blockchain network. Further embodimentsinclude transmitting, by the processing system, to a cloud serviceprovider (CSP) node, the first network configuration. Additionalembodiments include generating, by the processing system, firstcredentials, and transmitting, by the processing system, the firstcredentials to the CSP node. The CSP node configures a first group ofblockchain nodes according to the first network configuration and thefirst credentials. Also, the embodiments include transmitting, by theprocessing system, the first credentials to a public server. The publicserver sends, to a public blockchain node, the first credentials and anindication to generate a portion of the federated blockchain network.The public blockchain node configures a second group of blockchain nodesaccording to a second network configuration based on a public blockchainsmart contract. The federated blockchain network comprises the firstgroup of blockchain nodes and the second group of blockchain nodes.Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. Themethod can comprise obtaining, by a processing system including aprocessor, from a user device, a master-slave agreement for a federatedblockchain network and obtaining, by the processing system, a firstnetwork configuration for the federated blockchain network. Further, themethod can comprise transmitting, by the processing system, to a CSPnode, the first network configuration, generating, by the processingsystem, first credentials, and transmitting, by the processing system,the first credentials to the CSP node. The CSP node can configure afirst group of blockchain nodes according to the first networkconfiguration and the first credentials. In addition, the method cancomprise transmitting, by the processing system, the first credentialsto a public server. The public server can send, to a public blockchainnode, the first credentials and an indication to generate a portion ofthe federated blockchain network. The public blockchain node canconfigure a second group of blockchain nodes according to a secondnetwork configuration based on a public blockchain smart contract. Thefederated blockchain network can comprise the first group of blockchainnodes and the second group of blockchain nodes.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,comprising a processing system including a processor, and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. The operations cancomprise receiving a first credentials and receiving a first networkconfiguration from an access node for a federated blockchain network,and configuring a first group of blockchain nodes according to the firstnetwork configuration. Further, the operations can comprise receiving asecond network configuration from a public blockchain node, andconfiguring the first group of blockchain nodes according to the secondnetwork configuration. The public blockchain node can configure a secondgroup of blockchain nodes according to the second network configuration.The federated blockchain network can comprise the first group ofblockchain nodes and the second group of blockchain nodes.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablestorage device, comprising executable instructions that, when executedby a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations. The operations can comprise receiving an indication from apublic server to generate a portion of a federated blockchain networkaccording to a public blockchain smart contract, and configuring a firstgroup of blockchain nodes according to a first network configurationbased on the public blockchain smart contract. Further, the operationscan comprise transmitting the first network configuration to a CSP node.The CSP node can configure a second group of blockchain nodes accordingto the first network configuration. The federated blockchain network cancomprise the first group of blockchain nodes and the second group ofblock chain nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network 100 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. For example,communications network 100 can facilitate in whole or in partconfiguring CSP nodes and public blockchain nodes for a federatedblockchain network. In particular, a communications network 125 ispresented for providing broadband access 110 to a plurality of dataterminals 114 via access terminal 112, wireless access 120 to aplurality of mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station oraccess point 122, voice access 130 to a plurality of telephony devices134, via switching device 132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality ofaudio/video display devices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition,communication network 125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media. While broadbandaccess 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130 and media access 140are shown separately, one or more of these forms of access can becombined to provide multiple access services to a single client device(e.g., mobile devices 124 can receive media content via media terminal142, data terminal 114 can be provided voice access via switching device132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIGS. 2A-2C are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of systems functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein. Referring toFIG. 2A, in one or more embodiments, the system 200 comprises a userdevice 204 operated by a user 202, the user device 204 can becommunicatively coupled to an access node 206 over a communicationnetwork. The user device 204 can be, but not limited to, a mobile devicesuch as a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, smartwatch,wearable device, as well as a desktop computer, or any other computingdevice. Further, the system 200 comprises a first CSP node 208 a, asecond CSP node 210 a, a public server 212, and a public blockchain node214 a, each of which are communicatively coupled to each other and theaccess node 206 over a communication network. Further, the system 200includes a first CSP network 208 comprising a first group of CSP nodes208 a, 208 b, 208 c all of which are communicatively coupled with eachother over a communication network and the system 200 includes a secondCSP network 210 comprising a second group of CSP nodes 210 a, 210 b, 210c all of which are communicatively coupled with each other over acommunication network. In addition, the system 200 includes a publicblockchain network 214 comprising a group of blockchain nodes 214 a, 214b, 214 c all of which are communicatively coupled with each other over acommunication network. Each communication network described herein canbe a wired communication network, a wireless communication network, or acombination of a wired communication network and a wirelesscommunication network.

In one or more embodiments, the system 200 comprises a federatedblockchain network, which in turn comprises a private blockchainincluding the first group of CSP nodes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c of the firstCSP network 208 and second group of CSP nodes 210 a, 210 b, 210 c of thesecond CSP network 210 as well as a public blockchain including thepublic blockchain nodes 214 a, 214 b, 214 c of the public blockchainnetwork 214.

Conventional public blockchain networks enable uncensored adjudicationof (secured) transactions and appending the transactions to a shared,public ledger. Further, the decentralized architecture of a publicblockchain network provides benefits such as persistence, immutability,and finality of the secured transactions added to the public ledger.However, public computational consensus algorithms that secure thepublic blockchain network (e.g. proof of work, proof of intelligence,etc.) can require each or any one of the public blockchain nodes areadequately compensated for use of their own computational resources.Further, a public blockchain nodes of a public blockchain network arevulnerable to cyberattacks such as denial service and transaction spam.In addition, a public blockchain network may not provide availability toall potential users due to its permissiveness to allow any user toutilize it or offer adequate disaster recovery due to its decentralizedarchitecture.

Conventional private blockchain networks can be implemented by one CSP.Disaster recovery in a private blockchain network can be more robustthan a private blockchain network due to its more centralizedarchitecture and high availability can be provided by a privateblockchain network by regulating user access to it. However, a privateblockchain network is vulnerable to sabotage by a bad actor within theentity operating the private blockchain network. Thus, a privateblockchain may not as robust a public blockchain in securingtransactions. Further, a user may not trust a private blockchain networkdue to its more centralized architecture as well as due to lack of trustwith the CSP based on previous reports of lack of security or badreputation (e.g. a CSP had a data breach from hackers).

In one or more embodiments, a federated blockchain network comprisesblockchain nodes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 210 a, 210 b, 210 c from more thanone CSP network 208, 210 as well as blockchain nodes 214 a, 214 b, 214 cfrom a public blockchain network 214. Further, the federated blockchainnetwork can include an access node 206 that is operated by a stewardingentity that interacts with a user device 204, each of the CSP networks208, 210, and the public blockchain network 214. The federatedblockchain network regulates user access to avoid users exhausting thecomputational resources of the federated blockchain network. Further,the federated blockchain network is less vulnerable to cyberattacks thana conventional public blockchain network because its resources span notonly the public blockchain nodes 214 a, 214 b, 214 c but also CSP nodes208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, which can provide securityfrom public cyberattacks. Also, the federated blockchain network has amore decentralized architecture by spanning more than one CSP than aconventional private blockchain network which is constrain to one CSP,such that the federated blockchain network is less vulnerable to attackfrom a bad actor. In addition, the federated blockchain network has moretrust than a private blockchain network due to its decentralizedarchitecture because a user can select CSPs that the user trusts toprovide portions of the federated blockchain network.

In one or more embodiments, the user 202 can select a group of (trusted)CSPs and a public blockchain network to implement portions of thefederated blockchain network through the user device 204. That is, auser interface can be provided by the access node 206 to the user device204 with a selectable list of CSPs and public blockchain networks suchthat the user can select the group of CSPs and select the publicblockchain network to implement portions of the federated blockchainnetwork from the selectable list of CSPs and public blockchain networks.Further, the access node 206 can provide a master-slave agreement (MSA)for each of the selected CSPs and selected public blockchain network (ifapplicable). The intermediary entity operating the access node 206 canhave an MSA in place with each of the CSPs to re-sell or provisionblockchain services in the federated blockchain. Further, theintermediate entity can leverage these existing MSA to provide theblockchain nodes to a user who is procuring a federated blockchainnetwork that is comprised of the blockchain nodes from a diverse,trusted collection of CSPs.

In one or more embodiments, the user 202 can provide technicalconfigurations for the federated blockchain network including a firstnetwork configuration to the access node 206 via the user device 204.The technical configurations can also include business networkdefinitions, network models, scripts, access control lists, and queryfiles. A business network definition includes a network model, a script,access control lists, and query files. A network model can define orotherwise characterize assets, participants and transactions for thefederated blockchain network. A script can be used to implement one ormore transactions of the federated blockchain network. The accesscontrol lists provides a list of users that have permission to utilizethe federated blockchain network to prevent oversaturation (andconsequently exhaustion of computational resources) of the federatedblockchain network from too many users. Query files can define thedifferent queries that can be provided/implemented in the federatedblockchain network.

In one or more embodiments, the access node 206 can establish a masteraccount for each selected CSP on itself and establish a slave accountfor each CSP on a respective CSP node 208 a, 210 a. Further, the accessnode 206 can generate first credentials for each of CSP and transmitsthe first credentials to a CSP node 208 a, 210 a for each CSP network.First credentials can comprise usernames and passwords. Also, each CSPnode 208 a, 210 a can configure their respective CSP nodes 208 a, 208 b,208 c, 210 a, 210 b, 210 c according to the first network configurationand the first credentials. In addition, the access node 206 can providethe first credentials to the public server 212.

In one or more embodiments, in response to the public server 212receiving the first credentials, the public blockchain node 214 a isprovided a notification, by the public server 212, to generate a portionof the federated blockchain network and that the first credentials arestored at the public server 212. Such a notification causes the publicblockchain node 214 a to configure the public blockchain nodes 214 a,214 b, 214 c according to a public blockchain smart contract. Further,the public blockchain smart contract comprises a second networkconfiguration. Also, the public blockchain nodes 214 a can generatesecond credentials. In addition, the public blockchain node 214 a canconfigure public blockchain nodes 214 a, 214 b, 214 c according to thesecond network configuration using the second credentials.

In one or more embodiments, the public blockchain node 214 a can accessCSP node 208 a, 210 a using the first credentials and providesinstructions to each CSP node 208 a, 210 a to adjust the firstcredentials to the second credentials. Further, the public blockchainnode 214 a can provide the second network configuration. In addition,the providing of the second network configuration can include providingthe network model, scripts, access control rules, and query definitions.CSP node 208 a can configure CSP nodes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c according tothe second network configuration from the public blockchain node 214 ausing the second credentials. Also, CSP node 210 a can configure CSPnodes 210 a, 210 b, 210 c according to the second network configurationfrom the public blockchain node 214 a using the second credentials.Having the CSP nodes use the second credentials in configuring portionsof the federated blockchain network generated by the public blockchainnode 214 a instead of the first credentials generated by privateblockchain components can mitigate the federated blockchain networkvulnerability to attacks from bad actors within the CSPs as any badactors would not have access to the second credentials.

In some embodiments, the configuring of the CSP nodes 208 a, 208 b, 208c, 210 a, 210 b, 210 c according to the second network configurationfrom the public blockchain node 214 a can be done in addition, overlaidon, or augment the first network configuration from the user device 204.In other embodiments, the configuring of the CSP nodes 208 a, 208 b, 208c, 210 a, 210 b, 210 c according to the second network configurationfrom the public blockchain node 214 a can be done instead or replace thenetwork configuration from the user device 204. Thus, the federatedblockchain network that comprises the CSP nodes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 210a, 210 b, 210 c can be called its private blockchain components andpublic blockchain nodes 214 a, 214 b, 214 c its public blockchaincomponents. Thus, the federated blockchain network has the benefits of adecentralized architecture that spans not only public blockchain nodes214 a, 214 b, 214 c but also CSP nodes (private blockchain nodes) 208 a,208 b, 208 c, 210 a, 210 b, 210 c to mitigate its vulnerability topublic cyberattacks. Further, the federated blockchain network has thebenefits of regulating user access with access control lists such thatits computational resources are not exhausted from utilization by toomany users. In addition, the federated blockchain network comprisestrusted CSP nodes as its private blockchain components as selected bythe user 202.

In one or more embodiments, the user 202 utilizes the federatedblockchain network from the user device 204. In further embodiments, theuser 202 can provide an order (e.g. to perform secured transactions) forthe federated blockchain network from the user device 204 to the accessnode 206. Further, the access node 206 can provide the order to each CSPnode 208 a, 210 a and the public blockchain node 214 a. In addition, theCSP node 208 a can configure CSP nodes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c according tothe order, the CSP node 210 a can configure CSP nodes 210 a, 210 b, 210c according to the order, and the public blockchain node can configurethe public blockchain nodes 214 a, 214 b, 214 c according to the order.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the system 215 depicts some of the actionsperformed by user device 204, access node 206, CSP node 208 a, 210 b,public server 212, and public blockchain node 214 a. In one or moreembodiments, a user can select trusted CSPs (and a public blockchain)through a user interface on the user device 204 in configuring afederated blockchain network, which can include executing((electronically) signing) master-slave agreements between itself, thesteward entity operating the access node 206 and the selected CSPs 216.Further, the user, through the user device 204, can upload technicalconfigurations 218 to the access node 206. The technical configurationscan include a first network configuration for portions of the federatedblockchain network as well as business network definitions, models,scripts, access control lists, and query files. In addition, the user,through the user device 204, can confirm and submits orders 220 for thefederated blockchain network to the access node 206 to perform securedtransactions.

In one or more embodiments, the access node 206 can instantiate orconfigure a master account for each selected CSP on itself and caninstantiate or configure slave accounts for each selected CSP 222 (onCSP nodes 208 a, 210 a) according to the executed master-slave agreementreceived from the user device 204. Further, the access node 206 canprovide an indication (via a message, notification, signal, etc.) 224 toeach CSP node 208 a, 210 a to configure their respective CSP nodes asblockchain nodes for the federated blockchain network. The access node206 can provide the first network configuration such that each CSP node208 a, 210 a can configure their respective CSP nodes for the federatedblockchain network according to the first network configuration. Inaddition, the access node 206 can generate first credentials and providethe first credentials 226 to the CSP node 208 a, 210 a so that the CSPnodes can configure their respective CSP nodes according to the firstnetwork configuration using the first credentials. Also, the access node206 can provide an indication (via a message, notification, signal,etc.) 228 to each CSP node 208 a, 210 a for them to configure the portpermissions for the respective CSP nodes. Port permissions are definedin a corresponding access control list.

In one or more embodiments, the access node 206 saves/stores the firstcredentials 230 on the public server 212. The saving/storing of thefirst credentials can trigger the public server 212 to provide anindication (via a message, notification, signal, etc.) to the publicblockchain node 214 a to access the first credentials 232 from thepublic server 212 and to configure its respective public blockchainnodes according to its public blockchain smart contract. Further, thepubic blockchain smart contract can include or indicate a second networkconfiguration to configure the respective public blockchain nodes aswell as the CSP nodes that are used as part of the federated publicblockchain network. In addition, the public blockchain smart contractcan include instructions to use second credentials in configuring thesecond network configuration. Consequently, the public blockchain node214 a can generate the second credentials 234.

In one or more embodiments, the public blockchain node 214 a can access236 each CSP node 208 a, 210 a using the first credentials and send anindication (via a message, notification, signal, etc.) or instructionsto each CSP node to adjust the first credentials to second credentials.The adjusting can include removing the first credentials and adding thesecond credentials. Further, the public blockchain node 214 a canprovide the second network configuration 238 to each CSP node 208 a, 210a such that each CSP node 208 a, 210 a can configure their respectiveCSP nodes according to the second network configuration using the secondcredentials. Also, the public blockchain node 214 a can provide to eachCSP node 208 a, 210 a the network model, scripts, access control lists,and query definitions for the second network configuration 240. Onceeach CSP node configures their respective CSP nodes according to thesecond network configuration, then the user, through the user device204, can interact (e.g. perform secured transactions) 242 with portionsof the federated blockchain network including each CSP node 208 a, 210a. The federated blockchain network comprises each CSP node and eachconfigured public blockchain network configured according to the firstnetwork configuration and/or the second network configuration.

Referring to FIG. 2C, in one or more embodiments, the system 245 cancomprise a user device 204 associated with a user 202 interacting withan access node 246. The access node 246 can interact with a publicblockchain system 248 that initiates configuration of portions of afederated blockchain network according to a network configuration basedon a public blockchain smart contract. The public blockchain system 248can include a public server 250 and public blockchain nodes 252.Further, the public server 250 can include credentials 250 s for thefederated blockchain network, certificates 250 b, blockchain binarylibraries 250 c, models 250 d, scripts 250 e, access control lists 250f, and query files 250 g. In addition, the public blockchain nodes 252can include credentials 252 a for the federated blockchain network,certificates 252 b, CSP Command Line Interface (CLI) binary libraries252 c, credential change logic 252 d, and instantiation (generation)logic 252 e for generating/configuring portions of the federatedblockchain network. A certificate can be provided by a CSP so that thepublic server or public blockchain node can remotely login to provisiona blockchain node of the CSP with the credentials. Blockchain binarylibraries are core blockchain software that the user has chosen as theirpreferred way in which to the implement blockchain technology on thefederated blockchain network (e.g. Hyperledger, Ethereum Enterprise,etc.). The CSP CLI ensures the smart contract can run CSP CLI commands.The credential change logic allows the request and the downloading ofnew credentials (and/or certificates) for server access becausecredentials hosted on public server are being passed from a proprietarysystem (CSP nodes) to public blockchain nodes that implement a smartcontract. Instantiation Logic details programmatic steps in the form ofan executable script, to remotely instantiate/configure blockchain nodes(e.g. Login to VM via SSH, change director to root directory, executeHyperledger binaries, etc.).

In one or more embodiments, the system 245 can include CSP nodes 254,262. The access node 246 can establish a master account 256, 264 foreach CSP. Further, each CSP can have a slave organization or slaveaccount 258 a, 258 b, 266 a, 266 b within each CSP 254, 262. Further,each slave organization 258 a, 258 b, 266 a, 266 b can have one or moreblockchain nodes 260 a, 260 b, 268 a, 268 b, each including a ledger fortheir respective portion of the federated blockchain network to performsecured transactions. The intermediary entity operating the access nodeprovides federated blockchain service to the user and contracts withCSPs through Master Service Agreements to re-sell/provision thefederated blockchain service (e.g. x86 servers that act as blockchainnodes). In doing so, the intermediary entity provides prospective usersthe ability to provision a federated blockchain network that diversifiesthe trust across multiple CSPs (are chosen as the blockchain nodeproviders). The intermediary entity in such embodiments, re-sells thefederated blockchain services based on the MSAs to generate revenue.Because the intermediary entity holds the credentials and certificatesto the provisioned CSP servers, the intermediary entity has access toall the CSP nodes of the federated blockchain network thereby nodecentralization. A public blockchain smart contract is leveraged toautonomously request new certificates and change the passwords on allprovisioned CSP servers in which one or more public blockchain nodes,according to the smart contract, has access to the federated blockchainnetwork nodes. The smart contract is programmed to change the passwordand certificate of federated blockchain nodes. This effectively locksother actors from accessing the federated blockchain nodes and securinga trusted federated blockchain network. The federated blockchain networkcontinues to persist as long as a user pays the usage rates to theintermediary entity providing the federated blockchain service.

FIG. 2D depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 270 in accordancewith various aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments,aspects of method 270 can be performed by a user device, access node,CSP node, public server, or public blockchain node as shown in FIG. 2A.The method 270 can include a user device, at 271, providing selected(trusted) CSPs to provide portions of the federated blockchain networkthen executing and transmitting the master-slave agreement for eachselected CSP to the access node. In some embodiments, the user devicecan provide a selection of a public blockchain network to provideportions of the federated blockchain network. Further, the method 270can include the access node, at 272, obtaining or receiving, from a userdevice, a master-slave agreement for each selected CSP, and, at 274,obtaining a first network configuration, from the user device, for thefederated blockchain network. In addition, the method 270 can includethe access node, at 276, generating first credentials for portions ofthe federated blockchain network. Also, the method 270 can include theaccess node, at 278, transmitting to a CSP node the first networkconfiguration and the first credentials. In some embodiments, the firstnetwork configuration and the first credentials can be providedseparately.

In one or more embodiments, the method 270 can include the CSP node, at280, configuring a first group of blockchain nodes according to thefirst network configuration and the first credentials. Further, themethod 270 can include the access node, at 282, transmitting the firstcredentials to a public server. In addition, the method 270 can includethe public server, at 284, transmitting the first credentials and anindication to generate portions of the federated blockchain network to apublic blockchain node. The indication can be a message, notification,signal, etc. Also, the method 270 can include the public blockchainnode, at 286, configuring a second group of blockchain nodes accordingto a second network configuration based on a public blockchain smartcontract. The federated blockchain network comprises the first group ofblockchain nodes and the second group of blockchain nodes. Moreover, thefirst group of blockchain nodes comprise a group of CSP nodes, and thesecond group of blockchain nodes comprise a group of public blockchainnodes. Further, the method 270 can include the public blockchain node,at 288, transmitting the second network configuration to the CSP node.In addition, the method 270 can include the CSP node, at 290,configuring the first group of blockchain nodes according to the secondnetwork configuration.

In one or more embodiments, the public blockchain node can generatesecond credentials, and the configuring of the second group ofblockchain nodes by the public blockchain node can comprise configuringthe second group of blockchain nodes according to the secondcredentials. Further, the public blockchain node can transmit the secondcredentials with (or separately from) the second network configurationto the CSP node, and the CSP node configures the first group ofblockchain nodes according to the second credentials and the secondnetwork configuration.

In one or more embodiments, once the federated blockchain network hasbeen configured, the user, through the user device, can utilize thefederated blockchain network to perform secured transactions. In furtherembodiments, the access node can receive, from the user device, an order(e.g. to perform a secured transaction) for the federated blockchainnetwork and the access node can transmit the order to the CSP node andthe public blockchain node. The CSP node can configure the first groupof blockchain nodes according to the order and the public blockchainnode can configure the second group of blockchain nodes according to theorder.

In one or more embodiments, the public blockchain node can provide atleast one of a network model, scripts, access control rules, and querydefinitions, and the CSP node can configure the first group ofblockchain nodes according to at least one of the network model,scripts, access control rules, and query definitions.

In one or more embodiments, the CSP node can receive first credentialsand a first network configuration from an access node for a federatedblockchain network. The receipt of the first credentials and the firstnetwork configuration can be in one message or separate messages.Further, the CSP node can configure a first group of blockchain nodesaccording to the first network configuration. In addition, the CSP nodecan receive a second network configuration from a public blockchainnode. Also, the CSP node can configure the first group of blockchainnodes according to the second network configuration. The publicblockchain node can configure a second group of blockchain nodesaccording to the second network configuration. The federated blockchainnetwork comprises the first group of blockchain nodes and the secondgroup of blockchain nodes. In addition, the first group of blockchainnodes comprise a group of CSP nodes, and the second group of blockchainnodes comprise a group of public blockchain nodes.

In further embodiments, the CSP node can receive first instructions fromthe public blockchain node to adjust the first credentials to a secondcredentials and the CSP node can adjust the first credentials to thesecond credentials, accordingly. In addition, the configuring of thefirst group of blockchain nodes by the CSP node according to the secondnetwork configuration can comprise the CSP node configuring the firstgroup of blockchain node according to the second network configurationand the second credentials. Also, the public blockchain node cangenerate second credentials and can use the second credentials inconfiguring the second group of blockchain nodes according to the secondnetwork configuration.

In additional embodiments, the access node can transmit the firstcredentials and the first network configuration in response to receivinga master-slave agreement from a user device for the CSP. Once thefederated blockchain network has been configured, the user, through theuser device, can utilize the federated blockchain network to performsecured transactions. That is, user input associated with the user fromthe user device provides instructions for the federated blockchainnetwork to perform transactions. In further embodiments, the access nodecan receive, from the user device, an order (e.g. to perform a securedtransaction) for the federated blockchain network and the access nodecan transmit the order to the CSP node and the public blockchain node.The CSP node can configure the first group of blockchain nodes accordingto the order and the public blockchain node can configure the secondgroup of blockchain nodes according to the order. In other embodiments,the public blockchain node can provide at least one of a network model,scripts, access control rules, and query definitions, and the CSP nodecan configure the first group of blockchain nodes according to at leastone of the network model, scripts, access control rules, and querydefinitions.

In one or more embodiments, the public blockchain node can receive anindication from a public server to generate a portion of a federatedblockchain network according to a public blockchain smart contract. Theindication can be a message, notification, signal, etc. Further, thepublic blockchain node can configure a first group of blockchain nodesaccording to a first network configuration based on the publicblockchain smart contract. In addition, the public blockchain node cantransmit the first network configuration to a CSP node. The CSP node canconfigure a second group of blockchain nodes according to the firstnetwork configuration. The federated blockchain network can comprise thefirst group of blockchain nodes and the second group of block chainnodes. Also, the first group of blockchain nodes comprise a group ofpublic blockchain nodes, and the second group of blockchain nodescomprise a group of CSP nodes.

In further embodiments, the public blockchain node can obtain firstcredentials from the public server and can generate second credentialssuch that the configuring of the first group of blockchain nodes cancomprise configuring the first group of blockchain nodes according tothe second credentials. In additional embodiments, the public blockchainnode can transmit the second credentials to the CSP node, andconfiguring of the second group of blockchain nodes by the CSP node cancomprise configuring of the second group of blockchain nodes accordingto the second credentials.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2D, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

Further, portions of embodiments can be combined with portions of otherembodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, the subsystems and functions of systems 200, 215, 245 andmethod 270 presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 3 . For example,virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in partconfiguring CSP nodes and public blockchain nodes for a federatedblockchain network.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1 ),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part configuring CSP nodes and publicblockchain nodes for a federated blockchain network. Further, the userdevice, access node, CSP nodes, public server, and public blockchainnodes can comprise the computing environment 400.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4 , the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part configuring CSP nodes and public blockchain nodesfor a federated blockchain network. In one or more embodiments, themobile network platform 510 can generate and receive signals transmittedand received by base stations or access points such as base station oraccess point 122. Generally, mobile network platform 510 can comprisecomponents, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparateplatforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internetprotocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) andcircuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as controlgeneration for networked wireless telecommunication. As a non-limitingexample, mobile network platform 510 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 510comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 540 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 canauthorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from suchnetworks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, orroaming, data generated through SS7 network 560; for instance, mobilitydata stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside inmemory 530. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based trafficand signaling and PS gateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, CS gateway node(s) 512 can be realized at least in part ingateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated thatfunctionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PSgateway node(s) 518, and serving node(s) 516, is provided and dictatedby radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform 510 fortelecommunication over a radio access network 520 with other devices,such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part configuring CSPnodes and public blockchain nodes for a federated blockchain network.Further, the user device, access node, CSP nodes, public server, andpublic blockchain nodes can comprise the computing device 600.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: obtaining, by a processingsystem including a processor, from a user device, a master-slaveagreement for a federated blockchain network and obtaining, by theprocessing system, a first network configuration for the federatedblockchain network; transmitting, by the processing system, to a cloudservice provider (CSP) node, the first network configuration;generating, by the processing system, first credentials; transmitting,by the processing system, the first credentials to the CSP node, whereinthe CSP node configures a first group of blockchain nodes according tothe first network configuration and the first credentials; andtransmitting, by the processing system, the first credentials to apublic server, wherein the public server sends, to a public blockchainnode, the first credentials and an indication to generate a portion ofthe federated blockchain network, wherein the public blockchain nodeconfigures a second group of blockchain nodes according to a secondnetwork configuration based on a public blockchain smart contract,wherein the federated blockchain network comprises the first group ofblockchain nodes and the second group of blockchain nodes.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first group of blockchain nodes comprises agroup of CSP nodes, wherein the second group of blockchain nodescomprises a group of public blockchain nodes.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the public blockchain node generates second credentials, whereinthe configuring of the second group of blockchain nodes by the publicblockchain node comprises configuring the second group of blockchainnodes according to the second credentials.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the public blockchain node transmits the second credentials andthe second network configuration to the CSP node, wherein the CSP nodeconfigures the first group of blockchain nodes according to the secondcredentials and the second network configuration.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein user input associated with the user from the user deviceprovides instructions for the federated blockchain network to performtransactions.
 6. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving, by theprocessing system, from the user device, an order for the federatedblockchain network; and transmitting, by the processing system, theorder to the CSP node and the public blockchain node, wherein the CSPnode configures the first group of blockchain nodes according to theorder and the public blockchain node configures the second group ofblockchain nodes according to the order.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the public blockchain node provides at least one of a networkmodel, scripts, access control rules, and query definitions to the CSPnode, wherein the CSP node configures the first group of blockchainnodes according to the at least one of the network model, scripts,access control rules, and query definitions.
 8. A device, comprising: aprocessing system including a processor; and a memory that storesexecutable instructions that, when executed by the processing system,facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:receiving first credentials and receiving a first network configurationfrom an access node for a federated blockchain network, wherein theaccess node obtains a master-slave agreement for the federatedblockchain network, wherein the access node obtains the first networkconfiguration for the federated blockchain network, wherein the accessnode generates the first credentials; configuring a first group ofblockchain nodes according to the first network configuration and thefirst credentials; receiving a second network configuration from apublic blockchain node; and configuring the first group of blockchainnodes according to the second network configuration, wherein the accessnode transmits the first credentials to a public server, wherein thepublic server sends, to a public chain node, the first credentials andan indication to generate a portion of the federated blockchain network,wherein the public blockchain node configures a second group ofblockchain nodes according to the second network configuration based ona public blockchain smart contract, wherein the federated blockchainnetwork comprises the first group of blockchain nodes and the secondgroup of blockchain nodes.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the firstgroup of blockchain nodes comprises a group of cloud service provider(CSP) nodes, wherein the second group of blockchain nodes comprises agroup of public blockchain nodes.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein theoperations comprise: receiving first instructions from the publicblockchain node to adjust the first credentials to a second credentials;and adjusting the first credentials to the second credentials.
 11. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the configuring of the first group ofblockchain nodes according to the second network configuration comprisesconfiguring the first group of blockchain node according to the secondnetwork configuration and the second credentials.
 12. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the public blockchain node generates second credentialsand uses the second credentials in configuring the second group ofblockchain nodes according to the second network configuration.
 13. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein the access node transmits the firstcredentials and the first network configuration in response to receivingthe master-slave agreement from a user device.
 14. The device of claim13, wherein user input associated with the user from the user deviceprovides instructions for the federated blockchain network to performtransactions.
 15. The device of claim 8, wherein the operationscomprise: receiving an order from the access node; and configuring thefirst group of blockchain nodes according to the order.
 16. The deviceof claim 8, wherein the operations comprise: receiving at least one of anetwork model, scripts, access control rules, and query definitions fromthe public blockchain node; and configuring the first group ofblockchain nodes according to the at least one of the network model,scripts, access control rules, and query definitions.
 17. Anon-transitory, machine-readable storage device, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processing system including aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations comprising: receiving anindication from a public server to generate a portion of a federatedblockchain network according to a public blockchain smart contract,wherein the public server receives first credentials and the indicationfrom an access node, wherein the access node receives a master-slaveagreement for the federated blockchain network, wherein the access nodeobtains a first network configurations, wherein the access nodegenerates the first credentials, wherein the access node transmits thefirst credentials to a cloud service provide (CSP) node, wherein the CSPnode configures a first group of blockchain nodes according to the firstnetwork configuration and the first credentials; and configuring asecond group of blockchain nodes according to a second networkconfiguration based on the public blockchain smart contract, wherein thefederated blockchain network comprises the first group of blockchainnodes and the second group of blockchain nodes.
 18. The non-transitory,machine-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the first group ofblockchain nodes comprise a group of public blockchain nodes, whereinthe second group of blockchain nodes comprise a group of CSP nodes. 19.The non-transitory, machine-readable storage device of claim 17, whereinthe operations comprise generating second credentials, wherein theconfiguring of the first group of blockchain nodes comprises configuringthe first group of blockchain nodes according to the second credentials.20. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage device of claim 19,wherein the operations comprise transmitting the second credentials tothe CSP node, wherein configuring of the second group of blockchainnodes by the CSP node comprise configuring of the second group ofblockchain nodes according to the second credentials.